Abeer, an 8 year old girl from the Gaza Strip | Case Report
11/25/2013
Written by Alon Gurman, Case Worker – Freedom of Movement, Occupied Palestinian Territory Dept'
Abeer (alias), an eight year old girl from the Gaza Strip, was diagnosed, at the local hospital, with leukemia. Similar to other cases in the Gaza Strip, There was no treatment available and accessible for Abeer within Gaza. As regular in such cases, the PA supplied the financial aid to cover the expenses of Israeli hospital, according to the arrangements between the PA and Israel. From that moment, Abeer's accessibility to medical care was in the hands of the Israeli security forces (DCO and GSS).
Because of her young age, Abeer's departure from Gaza was not subjected to the security check. Yet, her dependence on an adult escort during the treatments, has left her in a vulnerable position; Due to the GSS's determination that Abeer's father is denied from entering Israel for security reasons, She left the Strip for ongoing treatments lasted for a year and a half, accompanied by her mother. It is needless to mention how important the mother's presence was as both, a parent and as an accompanist. Because of Abeer's thorny medical condition, her mother took a significant role in her treatments, a role expressed in giving the regular medication, consulting with physicians, supervision and giving emotional support.
In July, the family set off for preparations of periodic treatment in Israel. The preparations included, as is customary, applying for the financial aid from the PA, scheduling a hospital appointment, in addition to applying for an exit permit to the Israeli DCO. To Abeer's and her family's dismay, the process got stuck as they learned from the DCO that the mother is no longer granted to access Israel for security reasons, thus, her request is disagreed. They were notified, correspondingly, they may apply for her grandmother so she can accompany her.
snip*This case is one of many, in which a person can point out how do the Israeli military considerations; toll, repeatedly, high prices from the Palestinian children who are in need for treatments. The distorted priorities of Israel, backed up by militaristic discourse of security, exclusions and permits, completely erase the human needs in his stand against the system and leave him helpless.
in full: http://www.phr.org.il/default.asp?PageID=190&ItemID=1835